Gibberellic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring hormone found in plants. It’s derived from one of the most common plant hormones: gibberellins. Gibberellins are particularly known for their ability to stimulate plant growth. Gibberellic acid is the most common form of gibberellins. Power Grown offers this plant growth regulator as a powder with 90% purity.
Gibberellic acid was a key component of what many agriculturists call the “green revolution”. Farmers discovered they could significantly increase crop yields with the use of gibberellic acid, and that they could add nitrogen fertilizer without worrying much about excessive stem elongation. This resulted in a direct increase of grains like wheat and rice. This shows the importance and the effectiveness of gibberellic acid as a plant growth regulator.
How Does Gibberellic Acid Work?
Gibberellins regulate plant growth. And there are a variety of ways gibberellic acid can influence the growth and development of plants.
Induce seed germination. Seeds are dormant until they are triggered to germinate. With the application of gibberellic acid, seed coats are weakened, and the seeds are germinated. This leads to an expansion of cells.
Change the male/female ratio of the plant. In flowers or fruit with a low yield, the application of GA can turn a female plant into a monecious plant that has both male and female flowers. The male flowers can then fertilize the female flower.
Return plants to their normal growth pattern. In plants that are late flowering, there is a deficiency in GA. By applying supplemental GA, you can reset plants to their regular development cycle.
Break winter dormancy in plants. Need to grow plants year-round? Gibberellic acid can kickstart the seed germination and plant development even in harsh winter weather.
Affect plant growth by influencing cell elongation of the plant. This is seen in the stem and the root growth. Stems and inter-nodal lengths can be increased. An increase in cell division can lead to larger leaves and shoots in plants.
Improve fruit set. If you’re dealing with incomplete pollination, GA can be used to increase fruit set. The resulting fruit may be partially or entirely seedless.
How Safe Is Gibberellic Acid?
Though there has been a lack of human testing to corroborate its safety (or lack thereof), gibberellic acid is safe for humans if these guidelines are followed:
- Don’t apply solution to eye. Contact with the eye can cause irritation, and even damage, for some people.
- Skin contact is thought to be fine, but it’s better to exercise caution and keep it away from open skin.
- Don’t directly inhale or swallow the solution. Though little adverse health effects have been recorded with these two activities, it’s unknown whether GA can induce digestive or respiration if swallowed or inhaled.
How to Use It
Even though it’s a naturally occurring hormone found in plants, it’s produced at an extremely low rate. Gibberellic acid is most effective when used in small amounts. Eventually, plants can develop a tolerance for the hormone, inhibiting its effects as a plant growth regulator.
Gibberellic acid comes in a powder form. To dilute the powder, you will need rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and water.
While the products from Power Grown come with very detailed instructions for you to get started, here are some basic directions below:
- Take the correct amount of powder (your order from Power Grown will come with a spoon)
- Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the powder and mix until dissolved. Add more as needed.
- Add water (preferably distilled or filtered) for the proper dilution
Remember that too much or too little GA can adversely affect your results. As an example, let’s say you want to apply GA on seeds that are heavily coated and slow to germinate. On these seeds you want a high concentration of GA to achieve the desired result. On the other hand, if you were to use the solution on seeds that are easy to germinate, you will only need a low concentration.
Concentrations of gibberellic acid are quantified by ppm (parts per million). To calculate the concentration, use this equation:
Replace X and Y, (X mg/ Y ml) x 1000 = Z ppm
So, if you have 100 mg of powder, and mix it in 200 ml of water, you will have 500 ppm of the GA solution at 200 ml.
The best time to apply the solution is early in the morning—before sunrise, if possible. Bright sunlight can degrade the solution and render it impotent. Only mix what you’re going to use that day (don’t mix for future applications). Store the unused powder in a cool, dry place because too much heat can spoil it. You can freeze or refrigerate the powder.
The gibberellic acid from Power Grown comes in a 25 gram kit. With the kit comes a measured spoon and detailed instructions.
Contact Power Grown Today
Power Grown is the absolute best source for plant hormones and plant growth regulator products. The quality of your agricultural tools and substances have a direct influence on the growth and development of your plants and crops. If you would like to buy GA and/or any other related products, please call 916-474-0451 or visit our site at https://www.powergrown.com.